China faces an uphill battle to maintain social stability this year as crime figures continue to rise, according to the country's top judicial leaders.
　　And campaigns to wipe out corruption will lead to even more cases coming to light, Cao Jianming, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, told a two-day work conference on Thursday.
　　Between 2003 and 2007, the number of cases prosecuted by the procuratorates nationwide soared 33 percent, which includes a 5.7-percent rise last year.www.examda.com
　　And the increase in corruption hearings will heap extra pressure on procuratorates, Cao said, who added that of the cases heard last year, nearly 35 percent - 11,712 - involved the agricultural sector.
　　"The overall number of criminal cases is still very high, demanding more effort to maintain social harmony.
　　"And corruption cases at grass-roots level have been the major reason for some mass incidents," said Cao.
　　Cao also warned of a risk from hostile forces overseas intensifying their plot to "separate" China, which could endanger the foundation of the Party's reign.
　　"Efforts should be made to resolve disputes in a way that they can be nipped in the bud," he said.
　　Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and head of the Central Political and Legislative Committee, has called for more procuratorates at district and county level, where over 80 percent of China's procuratorial work goes on.
　　Measures already planned to ease the burden include training to improve efficiency, while extra financial support is expected by 2010 to improve facilities in communication, transportation, investigation and command, testing and authentication.
　　"Higher-level procuratorates should intensify guidance for their grass-root officials, help them find inefficiencies and maintain order," Zhou added.